The NFL has fined Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for allegedly making an obscene gesture at MetLife Stadium following his team’s victory against the New York Jets. Jones claimed the action was “inadvertent” and intended as a thumbs-up.

According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, Jones was seen giving a thumbs-up to the crowd from a stadium box before raising his middle finger and pointing lower in the direction of fans while mouthing indiscernible words during the Cowboys’ 37-22 road win over the Jets. A video of the incident circulated widely on social media.

Jones stated he was “excited” after the team’s final touchdown and denied any hostile intent. “There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that,” he said, per NBC News. “I just put up the wrong show on the hand. That was inadvertently done… The intention was ‘thumbs up,’ and basically pointing at our fans because everybody was jumping up and down excited.”

The NFL imposed the fine following the incident, with Jones given until Friday to appeal. While neither he nor the Cowboys have formally challenged the decision, Pelissero noted an appeal is likely.

In a separate 2024 incident, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined for throwing a drink at fans in Jacksonville.